Nightworld Academy - L.J. Swallow Page 0,16
by light bulbs. “I fucked up.”
“You chose to watch those memories.”
Matt shakes his head vigorously. “No. Yes. Crap. I pushed into your past because I wanted a glimpse of who you are. I didn’t think.”
I cross my arms. “Really?”
“Yes. I never expected to hit a painful memory. Lia, I don’t know how many times I have to say I’m sorry.” His eyes are filled with genuine remorse and I waver in my anger and upset.
Jamie’s right. I forgive—too easily sometimes. But if I accept his apology, am I being a sucker for his puppy dog eyes? Or is this my smugness Matt is apologising to me, as if what I think matters to him?
“Fine. I forgive you. Come on,” I say flatly.
He laughs and the sound breaks the tension. “No, you don’t.”
“I do. If Matteo Kohler apologises to somebody, he must be sorry.” I pause. “But I’d appreciate it if you don’t ask me to join you in any kind of magical activity—casting spells, practicing psychic magic, or anything else.”
He bites his lip. “You could join me in other activities?”
I narrow my eyes. Is there a hidden meaning behind his words?
“Like what?”
“You could meet me later.”
My stomach lurches. Is he serious? “What for?”
“To hang out. Let me show you I’m not as bad as you think.”
I stare back, convinced I’ll see teasing in his expression.
“We can hang out when we work backstage,” I suggest. “Then you can show me what a great person you are by helping with set building.”
“With a spell?”
The strange connection we made last time we were backstage hangs unspoken between us. “No, with your hands.”
“Perfect. I’m good with my hands.” He wiggles his fingers at me with that unmistakable smile.
“You won’t make me blush,” I retort.
Matt lowers his voice. “That’s not what I want to do, Lia.”
Omigod, shut up.
“I forgave you. I didn’t say I wanted to spend time alone with you.”
His eyes brighten. “I said hang out. I never mentioned us being alone. Interesting that you did.”
Crap. I take a deep breath. “Sofia’s waiting.”
I want to stay mad with him, but his forcefulness is enough to wear anybody down. If I detected a hint of malice or amusement, I’d walk out of here and ask Sofia to find another role for him. Maybe force him to sing onstage—that would be a true punishment.
Instead, the awareness we’re alone grips me. We both know I’ve daydreamed about him, but I never chased Matt. I don’t chase guys, and those like Matt don’t chase girls either. He doesn’t need to. Ash, Jamie, and Matt—three guys who are pursued rather than pursuers. Although to be honest, Jamie rarely notices girls flirting with him. If he let go of his serious attitude to life, and could see outside his desire to be top student academically, he might notice and have some fun.
Ash and Jamie should be more my type, but I’ve never felt that spark with them. Ash has his big-headed moments, but he’s a sweetheart who cares about others. Unlike Matt.
But have I seen Matt slip into something else, since he’s out of his comfort zone?
“You’ll be a hard taskmaster, Lia.” He smiles and steps forward—towards me, and I sidestep so he can’t brush against me. The hidden thoughts behind his eyes unnerve me. If only I could see through his mental barrier. If I touched him, I could...
“What were you reading?” I ask and point to the black book on the dressing table.
He darts over and shoves it into his rucksack. “Just a book.”
“Spell book?” I ask.
“Grimoire.”
“Which one?” We’re not allowed to take grimoires from the witches' sanctum—now I understand Jamie’s worry.
“A difficult one, of course,” he says with a wink.
“Are you still using magic you shouldn’t?” I ask in horror. “Matt...”
His brows pull together. “No. But they never said I couldn’t study that magic.”
“Sorry, but shouldn’t it be obvious that you can’t use or study?”
A shiver trickles down my spine as his look grows in intensity. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Why would this bother you?”
“Because I don’t want a friend sent to Ravenhold."
He snorts and moves to the door. “I won’t be sent to Ravenhold.”
His woody scent drifts towards me as he passes, reminding me of each time I’ve sat with the others and breathed in everything about him.
Why does Matt have to be so complicated?
“Let’s go before you accuse me of anything else.” Matt walks away, leaving me shocked how I twisted the moment from one direction to another in a heartbeat.
Which grimoire does he